Improvement in glass picture-frames



UNITED STA ES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. ROBY, OF EAST CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT lN GLASS PICTURE-FRAMES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,103, dated J uno 8,1 875 application filed April 7, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM H. BOBY, of East Cambridge, in the countyof Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful1m provement in Glass Picture- Frames; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which willenable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

In the said drawing, Figure 1 is a front and Fig. 2 a side elevation ofa picture-frame constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 3 is atop view, and Fig. 4 a side view, of one of the duplex metallicconnectors or clasps.

My invention relates to an improvement in the construction ofpicture-frames or stands for supporting pictures; and consists informing the bars of the frame of glass, and connecting the same by meansof metallic clasps, as hereinafter referred to and claimed.

My invention is designed for that class of picture-frames which are tobe supported or rest upon a table, shelf, or bracket.

In the said drawing, A A denote the side bars; B B, the cross-bars, andO the supporting bar or brace. These bars are composed of glass, and maybe either hollow or solid, as may be preferred. The upper ends of thebars A A I prefer to make of a conical shape, and to form each end ofthe cross-bars B B of a corresponding conical shape. The externalsurface of these bars may be either plane or ornamented, as fancy maydictate. The bars A A and B B form a rectangular frame, and areconnected by four peculiar-shaped duplex clasps, D, having the arms a be, the former being coiled or bent around one of the side bars A, havingan annular groove formed therein for its reception. The part b is inlike manner coiled around one of the bars B, and in a correspondinggroove form ed transversely around it, while the arm 0 extendslongitudinally of the frame, and is bent downward, so

as to impinge against one of the bars A, and

thereby form a spring-clamp to hold a picture when placed between theseries of clamps and the bars A A of the frame. The brace-bar O isconnected at the central part of the upper cross-bar by a similardevice, with the exception that it has no arm 0 to connect with apicture. The lower end of the bar 0 is unconfined, so as to enable it tobe moved either outward or inward, as may be desirable, to give anydesired inclination to the frame or picture.

In using my improved device the lower ends of the bars A A and O are tobe placed upon a table, shelf, or other flat surface, when by moving thelower part of the bar 0 either outward or inward any desirable. anglemay be given to the frame or picture affixed thereto. I would remarkthat the clasps are to be bent into shape and tempered before beingapplied to the parts of the frame.

Having described my invention, what I claim is-- 1. A picture-framehaving its bars A A and B B formed of glass, and united by metallicclasps, substantially as shown and described.

2. A glass picture-frame, having its bars A A, B B, and 0 formed ofglass and united by metallic clasps, substantially as shown anddescribed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own invention I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

WM. H. ROBY.

Witnesses:

F. P. HALE, F. O. HALE.

